Which Payment Method to Choose for Your Online Site
Choosing an online payment method mainly depends on your customer profile and average cart value: Stripe and PayPal cover most needs for selling to individuals, with fees generally between 1.5% and 2.9% plus a fixed amount per transaction, while bank transfer or specialized solutions take over for B2B or high amounts.
The real problem: every payment method removed is a potentially lost sale
The choice of payment method is often treated as a technical detail at the end of a project, even though it directly influences the conversion rate at the critical moment of purchase. A customer who can't find their usual payment method, or who has to create an extra account to pay, sometimes abandons their cart even after deciding to buy. Conversely, adding options indiscriminately complicates accounting and site maintenance without a proportional benefit.
The real work, then, is identifying the two or three payment methods that best cover your actual customer base, rather than trying to offer everything.
Card payments via a provider like Stripe
Card payment remains the dominant method in consumer ecommerce. Going through a provider like Stripe lets you integrate this payment directly into the site's journey, without redirecting to a third-party site, with fees generally around 1.5% plus €0.25 per transaction in Europe. It's an almost unavoidable option for any consumer-facing store.
PayPal as a complementary option
PayPal remains widely recognized by consumers, who often associate it with a perceived security guarantee, even though the actual security of both solutions is equivalent. Its main drawback is the frequent redirect away from the site during payment, which slightly breaks the purchase experience. It nonetheless remains a useful addition alongside standard card payment, since some customers require it out of habit or trust.
Split or deferred payment
Specialized solutions like Alma or Klarna let customers pay in installments or defer payment, in exchange for fees generally higher for the seller than a standard payment. This type of option is mostly relevant for carts with a significant amount, where splitting measurably reduces purchase hesitation. For small carts, the benefit is more limited.
Bank transfer
For selling to individuals, bank transfer remains poorly suited because it slows down the purchase journey, requires manual entry and delays order confirmation. For selling between professionals, however, with high amounts and established business relationships, transfer remains a common payment method, sometimes even preferred over card payment for cap or cash-flow reasons.
Local or specific payment methods
Depending on your market, certain local payment methods (such as national banking solutions in some European countries) can have strong adoption that would be a shame to ignore for a store selling internationally. This point deserves specific attention if a significant share of your customer base is outside France.
The role of the payment provider in perceived conversion
Beyond fees and technical integration, a payment method plays a reassurance role during the purchase act. A recognized payment method logo, clearly displayed from the product page and not only at checkout, reduces the hesitation of a customer who has never bought from your store. Conversely, a checkout that offers an unfamiliar or uncommon payment method as the only option can lose sales, even if the solution is technically reliable. This perception factor matters as much as the provider's actual cost in the final decision.
Anticipating changes in business volume
The payment method suited to a store just starting out isn't necessarily the one that stays optimal once a higher sales volume is reached. Some providers offer tiered pricing beyond a certain monthly volume, which can justify renegotiating or switching main provider after several months or years of activity. It's worth reviewing this setup periodically rather than treating it as fixed from the store's launch.
Comparison of the main payment methods
| Payment method | Typical fees | Strengths | Points to watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Card (Stripe) | ~1.5% + €0.25 | Integrated into the site, no redirect | More technical management interface |
| PayPal | ~2.9% + €0.35 | Widely recognized public trust | Often redirects away from the site |
| Split payment (Alma, Klarna) | Higher fees than standard card | Reduces hesitation on large carts | High cost for small carts |
| Bank transfer | Low or none | Suited to high B2B amounts | Slows down the journey for individuals |
Testing the payment journey from the customer's point of view
Beyond the theoretical choice of providers, testing the entire purchase journey yourself, from cart to order confirmation, helps spot friction points that no spec sheet reveals: too many steps, an unclear error message on payment failure, or no immediate visual confirmation after checkout. This regular test, ideally repeated after every site change, remains one of the simplest ways to identify friction points that lose sales without anyone noticing.
This simple test, done regularly, takes little time and avoids discovering a conversion problem only through a drop in revenue that's hard to explain.
What to remember
- The choice of payment method directly influences the conversion rate at the moment of purchase.
- Offering two options (for example card and PayPal) covers most needs for selling to individuals.
- Split payment is mainly worthwhile for carts with a significant amount.
- Bank transfer remains relevant in B2B but is poorly suited to consumer selling.
- Transaction fees generally range between 1.5% and 2.9% plus a fixed amount depending on the provider.
Frequently asked questions
Should an online store offer several payment methods? Offering at least two options reduces the risk of losing a sale because of a payment preference. Beyond two or three, the extra benefit diminishes.
Does split payment really increase sales? For carts with a significant amount, it can reduce purchase hesitation, with a higher cost for the seller than a standard payment.
Does bank transfer still have a place in ecommerce? Marginal for selling to individuals, it remains common in B2B for high amounts.
How do you know if a payment provider is reliable? Check PCI-DSS certification, reputation among other comparable stores, and pricing transparency. Stripe and PayPal meet these criteria.
In summary
The right payment method choice comes from your customer base's actual profile, not a maximalist list of available options. To integrate the right payment methods from the design stage of your store, support for your site helps adapt this setup to your customer base and sales volume.
Frequently asked questions
›Should an online store offer several payment methods?
In most cases, offering at least two options (for example card payment via Stripe and PayPal) reduces the risk of losing a sale because of a customer's payment preference. Adding more than two or three options generally brings little extra benefit and complicates management.
›Does split payment really increase sales?
For carts with a significant amount, paying in installments can reduce purchase hesitation and increase the conversion rate. It has a cost for the seller, generally higher than a standard payment, and is mainly worthwhile above a certain average cart value.
›Does bank transfer still have a place in ecommerce?
For selling to individuals, transfer remains marginal because it slows down the purchase journey and lacks automation. For B2B selling, with high amounts, it remains a common and often preferred payment method.
›How do you know if a payment provider is reliable?
Check that it's PCI-DSS certified (card payment security standard), that it's recognized and used by other stores of comparable size, and that its pricing terms are transparent with no hidden fees. Major providers like Stripe and PayPal meet these criteria.